Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

This study was conducted in Cheonan of central region in South Korea to evaluate the forage characteristics of early-maturing Italian ryegrass (IRG) within September, 2021 to June, 2023. The three different varieties of Italian ryegrass were prepared in this study 'Kogreen', 'Kospeed' and 'Kowinearly'. The results of heading date in this study, 'Kogreen' was the earliest in among cultivars and recorded 24th of April, whereas 'Kowinearly' was recorded the latest. In case of plant length parameter, 'Kowinearly' was the highest, in addition lodge tolerance score 'Kowinearly' also superior in whole cultivars. The dry matter yield of 'Kowinearly' was recorded significantly the highest (11,027 kg/ha), in contrast 'Kospeed' was recorded significantly the lowest (8,455 kg/ha). As a result of ADF and NDF content 'Kospeed' was recorded excellent value as compared the other two cultivars. The CP content of this study was excellent in the order of 'Kospeed' > 'Kowinearly' > 'Kogreen'. In case of the monosaccharides content 'Kogreen' had relatively higher glucose and fructose content than other four cultivars, therefore the 'Kogreen' has advantage for preparing high quality of silage. In conclusion, among the three different early varieties of Italian ryegrass, 'Kowinearly' was the superior in forage productivity, 'Kospeed' was the highest in feed value and 'Kospeed' had the highest in glucose and fructose content.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of storage type and period on the quality of rye hay. The rye “Gogu” was sown on October 15, 2020, and harvested on April 22, 2021 (heading stage). The rye hay was prepared in two wrapping conditions (wrapping and unwrapping) and two storage period (3 and 6 months). In regards to their visual appearance, the forage quality score was higher in wrapped rye hay than in unwrapped rye hay. In all groups, there was no difference in appearance between inside and outside. The moisture content of wrapped rye hay was maintained at the initial level until 6 months. However, the moisture content of unwrapped rye hay was increased at 3 months of storage, and then decreased at 6 months of storage. Crude protein content was higher in wrapped rye hay than in unwrapped rye hay, whereas NDF and ADF contents were lower within wrapped rye hay than within unwrapped rye hay (p<0.05). In conclusion, wrapping rye is effective method for long-term storage that reduces the effect of external environment.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of horse manure compost application on Italian ryegrass (IRG) yield and volcanic ash soil characteristics. Because the number of horses in Korea is growing, the amount of horse manure is growing. Jeju island, where about 55 % of the horses live, is composed of volcanic ash soil. This study was conducted for about 7 months. Sowing was conducted on October 2019. Harvesting was conducted at heading stage(2020.5.). Five treatments were established based on the horse manure compost composition. These were 100 % chemical fertilizer (CF), the combination of 50 % horse manure and 50 % chemical fertilizer (combination), horse manure with 50 % nitrogen (HM 50 %), horse manure with 100 % nitrogen (HM 100 %), and horse manure with 150 % nitrogen (HM 150 %). The plant height and dry matter yield were investigated to determine the forage yield and the soil characteristics of pH, total nitrogen, available phosphate, and organic matter were analyzed. The plant heights in the CF, combination, and HM 150 % treatments were 147.8 cm, 144.3 cm, and 147.1 cm respectively (Table 2). Dry matter yield in the CF treatment was about 23,807 kg/ha, which tended to be the highest dry matter yield. HM 150 % and the combination treatment were about 18,804 and 18,455 kg/ha, respectively, which tended to be the highest dry matter yield of the treatments amended with horse manure compost. The dry matter yield of the HM 100 % and HM 50 % treatments was about 15,801 kg/ha and 14,446 kg/ha, respectively (Table 2). The pH of the surface soil tended to increase after the experiment. The soil pH of the HM 150 % treatment was significantly higher than the soil pH of the other treatments. The pH was affected by the amount of horse manure compost, with a pH of 8.1. The available phosphate in the treatments in which horse manure compost was added was higher than the available phosphate in the CF treatment. And the available phosphate in the HM 150 % treatment was significantly higher than the available phosphate in the other treatments (p < 0.05)(Table 3). These results suggest that 50 % horse manure should be applied to IRG as the basal fertilizer and the remaining 50 % should be chemical fertilizer as the top fertilizer. This can provide the proper IRG dry matter yield with less effect on volcanic ash soil.

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal digestible energy levels on pregnancy mares. Physical changes and fecal microorganism in pregnant horse and changes in birth characteristics of neonatal foals were investigated. The experiment was conducted by 18 mares (Jeju corssed bred, older than 36 months) into three treatment groups. The experimental diet consisted of 80%, 100%, 120% digestible energy levels based on NRC. The average daily intake was lower in the 120% (8.75±1.01) than the 100% (9.34±0.92), 80% (9.14±0.88) and there was significant difference (p<0.05). The feed efficiency was lower in the 120% than 80%, 100% (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride was higher in 120% than others (p<0.05). However there were no health problem and there was no difference between the treatment groups in the birth characteristics of neonatal foals. At the phylum level, Fibrobactres was difference by digestible energy levels, 80% (8.53%) was higher than 100%, 120%. At the genus level, Bacteroides and Kineothrix increased in fecal proportions with increasing digestible energy levels (p<0.05). Fibrobacter showed higher composition at 80% than 100% and 120% (p<0.05).

‘Gwangyoung’, a winter forage triticale cultivar (X Triticosecale Wittmack), was developed at the Department of Rice and Winter Cereal Crop, NICS, RDA in 2018. The cultivar ‘Gwangyoung’ has leaves of wide width, medium length, and green color, and spikes of medium length and yellowish-brown color, and a large grain of yellowish-brown color. The heading date of the cultivar ‘Gwangyoung’ was April 22 which was similar to check cultivar ‘Shinyoung’. Its tolerance or resistance to cold, lodging, wet injury powdery mildew, and leaf rust were also similar to those of the check cultivar. The leaf blade ratio of ‘Gwangyoung’ (27.5%) was higher than that of ‘Shinyoung’ (21.2%). The average forage fresh and dry matter yield of cultivar ‘Gwangyoung’ at milk-ripe stages were 50.0 and 17.6 MT ha-1, respectively, which were higher than those (47.7 and 17.1 MT ha-1) of the check cultivar. The silage quality of ‘Gwangyoung’ was lower than that of the check cultivar ‘Shinyoung’ in crude protein content (5.3%) and total digestible nutrients (61.3%), while was higher than the check cultivar in neutral detergent fiber (58.2%) and acid detergent fiber (34.9%). ‘Gwangyoung’ showed the silage of 1 grade and a grain yield of 6.03 MT ha-1.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding TMR(Total Mixed Ration) with Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai of Jeju cross-bred horses on the body weight and blood composition. Fourteen herds of Jeju cross-bred horses older than 36 months were selected as experimental animals. The experiment was conducted by dividing the herds into seven herds for feeding TMR with 20% Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai(treatment) and another seven herds for feeding TMR without Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai(control) and water were fed ad libitum. In the 12th week, the MPV(mean platelet volume) was statistically significantly higher with Sasa TMR than with control (p<0.05). However, both MPV levels are within a normal range and there were no health problems. With regard to the levels of cholesterol, there was a statistically significant difference between the 33.8±5.9 ㎎/㎗ with individual management and 25.4±8.2 ㎎/ ㎗ with control group (p<0.05). But It are also within a normal range and there were no health problems. In conclusion, feeding TMR with 20% Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai of Jeju cross-bred horses could be utilized as a feeding method for horse.

This study was conducted to figure out the productivity of Italian ryegrass(IRG) and leaching water characteristics based on horse manure compost level in Jeju. This study was conducted for about six months. Six treatments were established : non-fertilizer(NF), chemical fertilizer 100%(CF), horse manure compost 50% and chemical fertilizer 50% combination(Combination), horse manure compost with 50% of nitrogen (50%), 100% of nitrogen(100%), 150% of nitrogen(150%). The highest amount of dry matter yield of IRG was revealed in CF(11,965± 564 kg/ha), and both 150% and Combination were second(p<0.05). Nitrate leaching tended to increase until the third analysis and then decreased. There were not significantly differences among mean nitrate concentrations. The findings of the study suggest that horse manure compost with 50% of nitrogen be applied for IRG as basal fertilization and then 50% of chemical fertilizer be applied as top fertilization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate winter annual forage crops for yield, and horse palatability under horse grazing during the fall and spring in Jeju. The winter annual forage crops such as Italian ryegrass(IRG), rye, and oat were planted in randomized block design in October 30. The horse grazing was initiated on March 17 of the following year. At the first cutting, the dry matter yield of rye was the highest with 4,600 kg/ha compared to the IRG and oat (p<0.05). But there were no significantly different in the yield of winter annual forage crops after the second and third harvests. The total dry matter yield showed rye 12,593 kg/ha, IRG 10,941 kg/ha, and oat 9,424 kg/ha respectively. The horse intake duration of the IRG was significantly higher than the oat and rye (p<0.05). In the first grazing and the second grazing, the intake duration of the IRG was 853.2 seconds and 989.4 seconds, respectively, with oat at 147.6 seconds, and 73.0 seconds, and rye at 89.4 seconds, and 33.18 seconds. The intake duration of IRG was longer than that of oat and rye (p<0.05). The intake rate of the IRG was 60.0% in the first and 82.8% in the second, and the average intake rate was 71.4%. When considering the maintenance of pastures and the palatability of horses, the IRG is the most suitable forage crop in winter annual forage crops in Jeju.

‘Luckyone 2ho’ is a new orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivar developed by the National Institue of Animal Science (NIAS) in 2017. To develope the new variety of orchardgrass, 5 superior clones were selected and polycrossed for seed production. The agronomic growth characteristics and forage productivity of ‘Luckyone 2ho’ were examined at Cheonan from 2012 to 2014, and regional trials were conducted in Cheonan, Pheonchang, Jinju and Jeju from 2015 to 2017, respectively. ‘Luckyone 2ho’ showed medium type growth habit in fall, and medium in length of flag leaf and very long upper internode. Plant height of ‘Luckyone 2ho’ was 3 cm less than that of standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’ and heading date was 1 days later than 5th May compared to standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’. Characteristics such as waterlogging and disease resistance of ‘Luckyone 2ho’ were stronger or better than those of standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’, Especially, dry matter yield of ‘Luckyone 2ho’(15,980 kg/ha) increased 9 % compared to that of standard cultivar, ‘Potomac’(14,702 kg/ha). Nutritive values were appeared to be similar in both varieties except in Vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD) and crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN).

This study was to investigate the effect of the horse grazing intensity on the vegetation of the S. quelpaertensis, and the physiological changes of the horse. This experiment was conducted at the community of the S. quelpaertensis (altitude of 550m) with the grazing intensity of 1.0AU(500kg), 1.5AU(750kg) and 2.0AU(1,000kg) at 30m × 30m for one week, and then the growth characteristics of the S. quelpaertensis, the changes of the vegetation, the damages on trees and the changes in the physiological characteristics of the horses was investigated and compared before and after the horse grazing. As the results, the 2.0AU grazing land showed that the culm number had the inverse correlation (r=-0.902, P〈0.01) to the other lands and the species diversity index of lower-level vegetation showed the correlation (r=0.773, P〈0.01) as increasing the grazing intensity.

본 연구는 제주지역에서 초식동물의 방목을 위해 주로 이용되고 있는 한지형 목초의 경우에 여름철 하고기에 생산성이 저하되고 있어 여름철에 생산성을 높일 수 있는 난지형 목초를 도입하여 이용하기 위한 목적으로 수행되었다. 시험에 사용된 난지형목초는 Bermudagrass 품종(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. : Giant, Cheyenne, Mohawk, Panchero Frio, Common, Tifton 85)과 Bahiagrass 품종(Paspalum notatum : TifQuik, Tifton 9)을 이용하였으며, 해발 450m고지에서 월동 후에 수확시기별 생산성 및 영양소 함량의 변화를 조사하였다. 시험구는 품종별로 8처리 3반복 난괴법으로 배치하여 수행하였다. 파종방법은 산파와 조파형태로 파종되었으며, Tifton 85 품종은 줄기 파종되었다. 시험결과를 보면 월동 후에 Bermudagrass와 Bahiagrass 품종 모두에서 동해에 의한 피해로 봄철에 재생이 대체로 늦었으며, 이중 줄기 파종되었던 Bermudagrass의 Tifton 85와 TifQuik, Tifton 9 품종이 다른 품종에 비해 동해에 비교적 강한 것으로 평가되었다. 생초와 건물수량은 품종에 따라 유의성 있는 차이를 보여 주었는데(p<0.05). Tifton 85, TifQuik 및 Tifton 9 품종의 생초 수량이 다른 품종에 비하여 우수하였으며, 건물수량은 Tifton 85와 Tifton 9 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 우수하였다. 건물 함량에 있어서도 품종에 따라서 유의있는 차이를 보여주었고(p<0.05), Giant 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 높은 결과를 나타내었다. 수확시기별 건물 함량은 Bermudagrass의 모든 품종에서 수확시기에 따른 차이를 보였다(p<0.05). 조단백질 함량도 품종에 따라 유의있는 차이를 나타내었고(p<0.05), Cheyenne, Mohawk, Panchero Frio와 Common 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 높은 결과를 보여주었으며, Giant 품종에서는 파종방법과 수확시기에 따른 차이를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 조섬유 함량도 품종에 따라 차이를 나타내었으며(p<0.05), Tifton9 품종이 다른 품종에 비하여 유의있게 높은 함량을 보여주었고, 수확시기별 조섬유 함량은 Mohawk과 Tifton 85 품종에서 유의있는 결과를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 그리고 조회분 함량에 있어서도 품종에 따른 유의있는 차이를 보였으며(p<0.05), Cheyenne이 다른 품종에 비하여 유의있게 높은 함량을 보였다. 수확시기별 조회분 함량은 Cheyenne, Panchero Frio와 Tifton 85 품종에서 유의있는 결과를 나타내었고(p<0.05), 파종방법에 따른 차이는 Giant 품종에서 유의있는 결과를 보였다(p<0.05). 이러한 결과에 따르면 난지형 목초류는 품종에 따라 동해에 따른 재생능력, 생산성, 영양소 함량이 차이가 크게 나타나고 있어 이용목적에 따라 선택할 필요가 있으며, 이용을 확대하기 위하여서는 다양한 해발고도에서의 평가가 필요한 것으로 사료되었다.

본 시험은 사료가치가 우수하고 엔도파이트에 감염되지 않은 톨 페스큐 신품종을 개발하기 위하여 2010년부터 2017년까지 농촌진흥청 국립축산과학원 초지사료과에서 수행되었다. 톨 페스큐 신품종 ‘그린마스터4호’는 6배체 품종으로서 잎은 녹색이며, 출수기가 5월 16일경으로서 대비품종인 ‘Fawn’ 보다 5일 늦은 중생품종이고, 출수기에 초장은 74.6cm 정도이다. 지역적응시험 4개 지역평균 건물수량은 ‘그린마스터4호’가 16.2톤/ha로서 대비품종인 ‘Fawn’보다 5% 많았으며, 지역별 생산성이 4개 지역 모두에서 ‘Fawn’보다 우수하였다. ‘그린마스터4호’의 사료가치는 조단백질(CP) 함량이 15.2%, 건물소화율(IVDMD)이 70.0%, 가소화양분총량(TDN)이 63.6%, 중성세제불용섬유(NDF)가 58.7%, 산성세제불용섬유(ADF)는 32.0%로서 Fawn보다 높거나 대등하였다. ‘그린마스터4호’는 엔도파이트에 감염되지 않는 품종이면서 ‘Fawn’보다 국내 기후환경 적응성과 영속성이 우수하여 초지조성에 알맞은 품종으로서 우리나라 전국에서 재배 가능하다.

본 실험은 제주산마의 개별 사양과 군집 사양이 생산성, 생리적 특성 그리고 말고기 등심근 부위의 특성에 미치는 영향에 대하여 알아보았다. 시험축은 44개월 이상의 제주산마 16두를 공시하였으며, 처리구는 개별 사양 8두, 군집 사양 8두로 나누어 실험을 진행하였다. 농후사료는 체중의 2.5%를 1일 4회에 나누어 급여하였으며 조사료와 물은 무제한 급여하였다. 총 농후사료 섭취량은 개별 사양은 1,358.49kg 군집 사양은 1,309.34kg이었다. 농후사료 일일 평균 섭취량은 개별 사양, 군집 사양에서 각각 16.56kg, 15.96kg으로 유의적인 차이는 없었다(p>0.05). 총 증체량은 개별 사양 시 66.00kg이었고 군집 사양 시 53.37kg이었으며, 일일 증체량은 개별 사양과 군집 사양에서 각각 0.79kg 0.64kg이었다. 개별 사양이 군집 사양보다 총 증체량과 일일 증체량에서 높은 수치를 나타냈지만 유의적인 차이는 나타나지 않았다(p>0.05). 말의 생리적 이상을 확인할 수 있는 지표인 직장온도는 개별 사양이 군집 사양보다 높은 수치를 나타냈지만 처리구간 유의적인 차이도 나타나지 않았다(p>0.05). 장내 pH는 개별 사양과 군집 사양 처리구 모두에서 정상 범위보다 낮은 경향을 나타냈으며 12주차에는 군집 사양에서 개별 사양보다 유의적으로 낮은 수치를 나타냈지만(p<0.05), 산통 증상은 나타나지 않았다. 등심근 내 일반 성분에서 단백질과 조회분은 처리구별로 차이가 나타나지 않았으나(p>0.05) 지방 함량은 개별 사양에서 7.83%, 군집 사양에서 5.65%를 나타내어 개별 사양 시 등심근 내 지방 함량이 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 이를 통해 개별 사양이 군집 사양보다 비육 효과가 우수함을 확인할 수 있었다. 그 외 등심근의 관능 특성과 육색 특성은 처리에 따른 차이를 보이지 않았다. 말의 개별 사양 시 산통 지표로 알려진 장내 pH 수치가 군집 사양보다 정상 수치에 가깝고 등심근 내 지방 함량도 개별 사양이 우수하게 나타나 제주산마 비육시 개별 사양 형태로 농후사료 2.5%의 급여하는 것이 제주산마의 비육 방법으로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

본 시험은 추위에 강하고 생산성이 우수한 이탈리안 라이그라스 품종을 육성하기 위하여 2009년부터 2017년까지 국립축산과학원 초지사료과에서 수행되었다. 이탈리안 라이그라스 신품종 그린콜은 2배체 작물로 엽색은 녹색이며, 월동전 초형은 반직립형, 봄의 초형은 직립형이다. 그린콜은 4월 25일경에 출수하는 극조생종 품종이고 지엽폭이 8 mm, 지엽길이는 24.9 cm 이며, 출수기의 초장은 96 cm로 플로리다 80호 보다 5 cm 정도 짧다. 줄기 두께는 플로리다80호 보다 0.14 mm 굵고 이삭 길이는 플로리다 80호와 대등하다. 그린콜의 건물수량은 11,592 kg/ha로서 대조품종인 플로리다 80호에 비하여 약간 높았다. 상대적 사료가치는 그린콜이 96.7인데 비해 수입종인 플로리다 80호는 89.8로 다소 높고 가소화양분총량 (TDN)이 60.8 %로서 플로리다 80호에 비해 2.1% 높았고, 산성세제불용섬유 (ADF)와 중성세제불용섬유 (NDF)는 각각 35.5 및 58.9 %로서 대조 품종 보다 약간 낮았다.